Drinking straw with descriptive drink label

ABSTRACT

A drinking straw is marked to describe a particular type of drink in order to aid users to quickly and accurately identify drink contents. For example, the drinking straw may include text indicating soda, tea, coffee, or other designation of a drink. The drinking straws described herein provide servers, bartenders, and consumers with an easy-to-use tool for projecting what type of drink is in any cup, without having to rely on the drink&#39;s look or taste.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/007,918 filed on Apr. 9, 2020 and entitled “DRINKING STRAW WITH DESCRIPTIVE LABEL,” which is incorporated by reference herein for all intents and purposes.

BACKGROUND

A drinking straw comprises a cylindrical tube with two open ends, with one end intended to be placed in a drink (the “drink end”) and the other intended for placement in a person's mouth (the “mouth end”). The person may then draw liquid into the drink end and up through the straw by applying suction at the mouth end, providing an easy tool for drink consumption.

Restaurants and bars serve drinks that need to frequently change hands, between bartenders, waitresses, and customers. So many points of contact make it difficult to make sure that the right customer gets the right drink. The person making the drinks is not always the person serving the drinks. Servers who do not personally pour or make a drink have to rely on the way the drink looks to identify it. For instance, colas are darker colored, sodas are carbonated, and some drinks have specific colors (e.g., pink lemonade). Not all drinks are easy to differentiate by their look, presenting confusion to the restaurant worker. And serving the wrong drink to a patron not only frustrates the customer experience but may be problematic if, for example, a drink with the alcohol is served to a child or a teetotaler.

Confounding things further, customers typically dine or imbibe together, and several drinks that look the same may be placed on a shared table. For example, a group at a table may include folks drinking different types but similarly colored types of soda, cocktails, and the like. One person who is drinking a non-alcoholic, clear carbonated soda may mistakenly grab and a friend's alcoholic drink of carbonated soda and vodka—because the two look identical. Unfortunately, the person usually has to find out after the fact that they accidentally drank the other person's drink.

Also, not all drinks are served in transparent glasses or cups. Often, users drink from cups that are colored or opaque. This makes it even harder for others to tell what beverage is in such a cup, as the visual cues are hidden.

There are myriad reasons why drinks should be kept with their intended drinkers. Sharing beverages is not only unsanitary (e.g., many viruses, germs, and bacteria may be passed by way of mouth), but mistakenly drinking another's drink may ruin the dining experience for a user. For example, safety protocols for the recent COVID-19 pandemic require people to maintain social distances from each other and wear masks to halt transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Many such viruses, or bacteria, are transmissibly orally. For service, social, and sanitation purposes, it is imperative to clearly and unambiguously identify drinks and also make sure people only use their specific straws.

SUMMARY

The disclosed examples are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing figures listed below. The following summary is provided to illustrate some examples disclosed herein. It is not meant, however, to limit all examples to any particular configuration or sequence of operations.

Some aspects disclosed herein are directed to a drinking straw having two openings and a straw body. The drinking straw includes a drink label positioned proximate to an opening of the drinking straw, the drink label comprising specifying a particular type of drink, such as cola, tea, whiskey, diet, or the like.

In some embodiments, the drink label includes text describing the particular type of drink.

In some embodiments, the drink label includes a picture illustrative of the particular type of drink.

In some embodiments, the drink label includes a logo illustrative of the particular type of drink.

In some embodiments, the particular type of drink is at least one of a generalized drink category, alcohol category, specialty drink, health ingredient, or alcoholic or non-alcoholic designation.

In some embodiments, the drink label is within 0-3 inches away from the opening of the straw.

In other embodiments the drink label is within 1-3 inches away from the opening of the straw.

In some embodiments, the drink label is etched on the straw body.

In some embodiments, the drink label is printed on the straw body.

In some embodiments, the drink label is applied via a label on the straw body.

In some embodiments, the drink label is lasered on the straw body.

In some embodiments, the drink label is etched on the straw body.

In some embodiments, the drink label is inked on the straw body.

In some embodiments, the drink label is drawn on the straw body.

In some embodiments, the drink label is painted on the straw body.

In some embodiments, the straw body is at least one of a plastic, paper, wooden, metal, glass, silicone, bamboo, aluminum, hard plastic, compostable plastic, or stainless steel straw body. In some embodiments, the compostable straw body is either an ASTM D-6400 or STMD 6468 compostable plastic.

In some embodiments, a second drink label is positioned proximate to a second opening of the drinking straw.

In some embodiments, the straw body comprises a bend, angle, or expander.

Other aspects are directed to manufacturing a drinking straw with a drink label. Doing so involves forming a straw body with two openings and marking the straw body with the drink label proximate to an opening of the straw body, and drink label may include text designating a particular type of drink.

In some embodiments, the marking is applied through by way of printing, applying a label, etching, lasering, inking, drawing, or painting the drink label.

In some embodiments, the drink label is in braille or a logogram.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed examples are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing figures listed below:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of drinking straws with drinking labels being used in various different glasses in accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates drinking straws with the drinking labels in accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of drinking straws in accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a drinking straw having a straw base and a label area in accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a drinking straw having a straw base and a label area in accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a drinking straw having a straw base, a label area, and a finger indentation in accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a drinking straw having a straw base, a label area, and a finger indentation in accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart diagram for manufacturing drinking straws with drinking labels in accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. References made throughout this disclosure relating to specific examples and implementations are provided solely for illustrative purposes but, unless indicated to the contrary, are not meant to limit all examples.

In general, the embodiments and examples disclosed herein are directed to drinking straws that are marked with a descriptive drink label that indicates a particular type of drink. In some embodiments, the drink label is text specifying a type of drink, such as, for example but without limitation, the following drinks: water; types of juice (e.g., apple, cranberry, orange, etc.); alcoholic drinks (e.g., vodka tonic, Jack and Coke, whiskey sour, etc.); sodas (e.g., Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Sprite, etc.); non-alcoholic mocktails; coffee drinks (e.g., cappuccino, latte, iced coffee, sugar-added, black, etc.); teas (e.g., green, sweet, unsweet, etc.); or any other type of drink. Having the drink label visible on a straw allows the maker of a drink to place a descriptive straw therein that notifies workers and customers as to the drink's contents. For example, a bartender who makes a whisky-and-cola alcoholic drink may place a straw with the text of “whiskey and cola” or “Jack and Coke” (or the specific drink of JACK DANIELS® and COCA-COLA®) on it in the drink for a server to deliver the drink and so-marked straw to a customer who is sitting at a table with friends. The customer, and also the friends, may then be able to tell which drink is the whisky-and-cola based on the straw's drink label.

To clarify, the term “drink label” refers to a marking positioned on a drinking straw that describes a type of drink. Drinks may be described in endless ways, such as, for example but without limitation, any of the aforementioned types of drinks in addition to more generalized drink categories (e.g., type, coffee, tea, cola, clear soda, carbonated water, water, etc.); alcohol categories (e.g., wine, beer, whiskey, vodka, etc.); specialty drink (e.g., latte, herbal tea, etc.); mocktails; health ingredient (e.g., banana smoothie, protein shake, weight-gainer, etc.); alcoholic or non-alcoholic; or the like.

The disclosed straws with drink labels provide notice to all of what drink is in a particular glass. Customers are able to quickly recognize their drinks on tables, even after they have been sitting for a while or moved. Additionally, servers ensure that the right drink gets delivered to the right customer, saving drinks from needing to be discarded because they are delivered to the wrong patron—which obviously costs restaurants and bars money in wasted in materials and also may affect the establishment's reputation for quality service. Further still, properly labeling drinks by using the disclosed straws provides a sanitary way to limit the number of mouths on drink straws, preventing the spread of bacteria, viruses, and other germs—which is particularly useful to curb the spread of disease in a pandemic.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of three different drinking straws 102, 112, and 122 that are in different alcoholic drinks 130, 132, and 134. Drink 130 is a drink with the alcohol rum, drink 132 is a drink with lemon lime, and drink 134 is a drink with the alcohol Scotch. Customers drinking these three drinks 130-134 may want to keep them separate, so that the person drinking the non-alcoholic lemon lime drink 132 does not imbibe the alcohol of drinks 130 and 134, and the drinkers of those two alcoholic drinks 130 and 134 do not confuse which one has rum and which one has rum, because the two may not be easily discernible by sight.

The depicted drinking straws 102, 112, and 122 include labels 106, 116, and 126 with different drink labels 108, 118, and 128, respectively, that indicated particular types of drinks. Specifically, drink label 108 indicates a rum drink. Drink label 118 indicates a lemon lime drink. And drink label 128 indicates a scotch drink. Additionally, the drinking straws 102, 112, and 122 include straw bases 104, 114, and 124 that are marked differently or different colors that straw label areas 108, 118, and 128.

Looking specifically at drinking straw 102, for example, the label area 106 may be colored as white to provide contract for lettering of the drink label 108, which may be black making the lettering easier to read. And the straw base 104 may be another contrasting color (e.g., burgundy) to provide contract with the label area 106, and also, in some embodiments, provide a color indication of the type of drink for the drinking straw 102. For instance, rum is typically a burgundy colored liquor, and the added burgundy color of the straw base 104 provides another distinguishing identifiers to signal to bartenders, servers, and patrons exactly what drink is in the glass 130.

Similarly, black lettering for the lemon line drink label 118 may be positioned in contrasting white label area 116, and straw base 114 may be colored green. All three provide an easily distinguishable drinking straw 112 that signals the drink 132 is lemon-lime flavored.

Back lettering for the scotch drink label 128 may be positioned in contrasting white label area 126, and straw base 124 may be colored burgundy or brown to match the color of the liquor scotch. All three provide an easily distinguishable drinking straw 122 that signals the drink 134 contains scotch.

A bartender or server may place the corresponding drinking straw 102, 112, 122 in the corresponding drink 130, 132, 134. When the drinks 130, 132, 134 arrive at a customer's table, the contents of the drinks 130, 132, 134 are easily identifiable to both the servers and the customers, eliminating the chance that others at table will mistakenly drink the wrong drink and also ensuring that the server delivers the correct drink to the correct customer. Again, this dramatically reduces beverage waste, which is costly, and cuts down on transmitting oral germs and disease, which is dangerous.

Different embodiments use different combinations of straw bases and label areas. Some embodiments use different contrasting label areas 106, 116, and 126, but other embodiments do not. Some embodiments use different contrasting straw bases 104, 114, and 124, but other embodiments do not. Alternatively, some embodiments only include the drink labels 108, 118, and 128 with text, logos, or other indica indicative of a particular type of drink.

FIG. 2 illustrate three different straws 202, 204, and 206 with various different drink labels 206, 216, and 226 thereon, according to some embodiments. The straws 202-206 have two openings each on ends of a straw body that is marked with different text 212, 214, and 216 for different types of beverages. Specifically, text 212, 214, and 216 spell out “cola,” “diet,” and “lime,” respectively, as indicators of a cola, diet, or lime-infused drink. Myriad other drink types of may be designated by the text, such as those specified above.

Text 212-216 may be placed on the straws 202-206 in a number of ways. The text 212-216 may be printed, applied via a label, etched, pressed, embossed, lasered, inked, drawn, painted, or otherwise marked on the straws 202-206. Additionally or alternatively, logos (e.g., PEPSI®, SPRITE®, etc.) or pictures of different drinks may be used instead of, or in addition to, the text 212-216. Pictures and logos may be easier to recognize at a glance, and they help those who may not be able to read, or read the specific language of, the text 212-216. Further still, some specific embodiments may include braille, logograms, or other depictions indicative of types of drinks. For the sake of clarity, of the remainder of this disclosure references text being positioned on straws, but some embodiments use logos, pictures, or other descriptive indicia instead of text in the same manner.

The text 212-216 may be wrapped (circumferentially) around the around the straws 202-106. Alternatively, the text 212-216 may be positioned lengthwise down the side of the straw, which is shown in FIG. 2 where text 212-216 runs down the body of straws 202-106.

Additionally or alternatively, the text 212-216 may be marked once or multiple times on the straws 202-206. The depicted embodiments show two instances of text 212-216 positioned along the straws 202-106. In some embodiments, the text 212-216 is placed near one or both of a straw's openings, ensuring that whichever straw end is sticking out of a drink is marked with the text 212-216.

Text 212-216 may be placed close to, or proximate, to an end of the straws 202-106 in order to be seen while sticking out of a drink, for example within a particular distance from an opening of the straws 202-206. “Proximate” to an end of a straw refers to a drink label being within a certain distance (e.g., 0-3 inches) away from the straw end. In some particular embodiments, the text 212-216 is positioned within 3 inches from an opening (or end) of the straws 202-206. Other distances may be used for longer or shorter straws. Also, text 212-216 may be positioned on different facing sides of the straws 202-206.

Straws 202-206 are standard straws without any bends, curves, or angling. Embodiments are not limited to any particular type of straw. For example, the same drink labels discussed herein may be placed on non-straight straws, such as, for example but without limitation, straws with bends, angles, curves, expanders, or any other configuration. Additionally or alternatively, the drink labels mentioned herein may be placed on plastic; paper; wooden; metal; glass; silicone; bamboo; aluminum; hard plastic (e.g., rigid acrylic, petroleum-based polymer, or the like); compostable plastic (e.g., ASTM D-6400, STMD 6468, or the like); stainless steel; or the like.

Text 212-216 may include any shape of letter from any standard or non-standard alphabet including but not limited to the following majuscule and minuscule alphabet sets: Afrikaans, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Basque, Belarussian, Bengali, Bosnian, Bulgarian, Burmese, Catalan, Cebuano, Chichewa, Cantonese, Corsican, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Esperanto, Estonian, Filipino, Finnish, French, Frisian, Galician, Georgian, German, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hausa, Hawaiian, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Hungarian, Icelandic, lgbo, Indonesian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Javanese, Kannada, Kazakh, Khmer, Korean, Kurdish, Kyrgyz, Lao, Latin, Latvian, Lithuanian, Luxembourgish, Macedonian, Malagasy, Malay, Malayalam, Maltese, Mandarin, Maori, Marathi, Mongolian, Nepali, Norwegian, Pashto, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Samoan, Scots Gaelic, Serbian, Sesotho, Shona, Sindhi, Sinhala, Slovak, Slovenian, Somali, Spanish, Sundanese, Swahili, Swedish, Tajik, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Turkish, Ukranian, Urdu, Uzbek, Vietnamese, Welsh, Xhosa, Yiddish, Yoruba and Zulu.

Additionally or alternatively, any standard or non-standard fonts may be used, such as, for example but without limitation: Abadi MT Condensed Light, Allegro, Albertus Extra Bold, Albertus Medium, Antique Olive, Arial, Arial Black, Arial Narrow, Bazooka, Book Antigua, Bookman Old Style, Boulder, Calisto MT, Calligrapher, Century Gothic, Century Schoolbook, Cezanne, CG Omega, CG Times, Charlesworth, Chaucer, Clarendon Condensed, Comic Sans MS, Copperplate Gothic Bold, Copperplate Gothic Light, Cornerstone, Coronet, Courier, Courier New, Cuckoo, Dauphin, Denmark, Fransiscan, Garamond, Geneva, Haettenschweiler, Heather, Helvetica, Herald, Impact, Jester, Letter Gothic, Lithograph, Lithograph Light, Long Island, Lucida Console, Lucida Handwriting, Lucida Sans, Lucida Sans Unicode, Marigold, Market, Matisse ITC, MS LineDraw, News GothicMT, OCR A Extended, Old Century, Pegasus, Pickwick, Poster, Pythagoras, Sceptre, Sherwood, Signboard, Socket, Steamer, Storybook, Subway, Tahoma, Technical, Teletype, Tempus Sans ITC, Times, Times New Roman, Times New Roman PS, Trebuchet MS, Tristan, Tubular, Unicorn, Condensed, Vagabond, Verdana, and Westminster.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of drinking straws 302, 304, and 306 in accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments. The depicted drinking straws 302-306 have straw bases 304, 314, and 324 that are colored with contrasting colors from label areas 306, 316, and 318, respectively. Text 308, 318, and 328 indicate particular types of drinks, in this case: lemon lime, whiskey, and scotch. Again, the colors of the label areas 306, 316, and 318 may contrast with the colors of straw bases 304, 314, and 324.

Internally, the drinking straws 302, 304, and 306 may be internally colored the same as the straw bases 304, 314, and 324, providing yet another distinctive identifier of the type of drink the drinking straws 302, 304, and 306 are placed, or are to be placed. This is particularly in FIG. 3 by references 332, 334, and 336, which point to internal faces of the drinking straws 302, 304, and 306 that are colored the same as the straw bases 304, 314, and 324. For example, straw base 304 of drinking straw 302 may be colored lime green to signify a lemon-lime drink, and both the exterior of the straw base 304 and the entire internal portion of the drinking straw 302 may be colored lime green, while the straw label 306 is white and the text 308 is black. As such, a server is able to identify the straw 302 being for lemon-lime drinks from the text 308 the color of the exterior of the straw base 304 as well as the color of the internal colored portion 332 being lime green. Similar internal colors may be used for the whisky drinking straw 316 (black) and the scotch drinking straw 326 (burgundy).

Some specific dimensions of drinking straws are described next in reference to FIGS. 4-7. These dimensions are merely provided as examples of different embodiments, and are not meant to limit all embodiments to particular dimensions.

Alternatively or additionally, the drinking straws discussed herein may include a bend, angle, flexible hinge, or curve on one side to direct one of the openings toward a user's mouth.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a drinking straw having a straw base and a label area in accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments. The depicted drinking straw in FIG. 4 is eight inches long and has a diameter of 0.226 inches.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a drinking straw having a straw base and a label area in accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments. The depicted drinking straw in FIG. 5 is six inches long and has a diameter of 0.226 inches.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a drinking straw having a straw base, a label area, and a finger indentation 602 in accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments. The depicted drinking straw in FIG. 6 is eight inches long and has an outer diameter of 0.210 inches that tapers in the finger indentation 602 to an inner diameter of 0.170 inches. More specifically, the finger indentation 602 contours to fit a finger (e.g., a thumb), providing an easy way for a user to hold, lift, or otherwise manipulate the drinking straw. Any of the disclosed drinking straws may include such a tapering finger indentation 602. The depicted example includes the finger indentation 602 being positioned within the straw base, instead of the label area. Other embodiments include finger indentations 602 within the text of a drink label and/or within the label area.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a drinking straw having a straw base, a label area, and a finger indentation 702 in accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments. The depicted drinking straw in FIG. 7 is six inches long and has an outer diameter of 0.210 inches that tapers in the finger indentation 602 to an inner diameter of 0.170 inches. More specifically, the finger indentation 702 contours to fit a finger (e.g., a thumb), providing an easy way for a user to hold, lift, or otherwise manipulate the drinking straw. Any of the disclosed drinking straws may include such a tapering finger indentation 702. The depicted example includes the finger indentation 702 being positioned within the straw base, instead of the label area. Other embodiments include finger indentations 702 within the text of a drink label and/or within the label area.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart diagram for manufacturing drinking straws with drinking labels in accordance with some of the disclosed embodiments. Work flow 800 involves forming a straw body with two openings, as shown at 802. This may be done using any known manufacturing techniques for molding, forming, cutting, or manufacturing straws. The formed straws may then be marked with the drink labels described herein, e.g., in a place proximate to an opening of the straw body, as shown at 804. The drink label marking may be applied or made any number of ways, including, without limitation, printing, applying a label, etching, lasering, inking, drawing, or painting the drink label. Moreover, the drink label may be positioned lengthwise down the straw body or wrapped around the straw body.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Furthermore, invention(s) have been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the invention(s). Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from its scope.

Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Additional Examples

Clause Set A:

A1. A drinking straw having two openings and a straw body, the drinking straw comprising:

a drink label positioned proximate to an opening of the drinking straw, the drink label specifying a particular type of drink.

A2. The drinking straw of clause A1, wherein the drink label comprises text describing the particular type of drink.

A3. The drinking straw of clause A1, wherein the drink label comprises a picture or a logo illustrative of the particular type of drink.

A4. The drinking straw of clause A1, wherein the particular type of drink comprises at least one of a generalized drink category, alcohol category, mocktail, specialty drink, health ingredient, or alcoholic or non-alcoholic designation.

A5. The drinking straw of clause A1, wherein the drink label is within 0-3 inches away from the opening of the straw.

A6. The drinking straw of clause A1, wherein the drink label is within 1-3 inches away from the opening of the straw.

A7. The drinking straw of clause A1, wherein the drink label is etched on the straw body.

A8. The drinking straw of clause A1, wherein the drink label is printed on the straw body.

A9. The drinking straw of clause A1, wherein the drink label is applied via a label on the straw body.

A10. The drinking straw of clause A1, wherein the drink label is lasered on the straw body.

A11. The drinking straw of clause A1, wherein the drink label is inked on the straw body.

A12. The drinking straw of clause A1, wherein the straw body is at least one of a plastic, paper, wooden, metal, glass, silicone, bamboo, aluminum, hard plastic, compostable plastic, or stainless steel straw body.

A13. The drinking straw of clause A1, wherein the straw body is either ASTM D-6400 or STMD 6468 compostable plastic.

A14. The drinking straw of clause A1, further comprising a second drink label positioned proximate to a second opening of the drinking straw.

A15. The drinking straw of clause A1, wherein the straw body comprises a bend, angle, or expander.

B1. A drinking straw having two openings, the drinking straw comprising:

a straw base circumferentially colored in a first color;

a label area circumferentially colored in a second color that differs from the first color, the label area proximate to an opening; and

a drink label positioned in the label area, the drink label specifying a particular type of drink.

B2. The drinking straw of clause B1, the second color of the label area is white, and the drink label comprises text in a black font indicating the particular type of drink.

B3. The drinking straw of clause B2, wherein the first color is a color that is a color of the particular type of drink.

B4. The drinking straw of clause B1, wherein an internal face of the drinking straw is colored in the first color

C20. A method of manufacturing a drinking straw with a drink label, the method comprising:

forming a straw body with two openings; and

marking the straw body with the drink label proximate to an opening of the straw body, wherein the drink label comprises text designating a particular type of drink, wherein said marking comprising at least one of printing, applying a label, etching, lasering, inking, drawing, or painting the drink label.

While the aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of various examples with their associated operations, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that a combination of operations from any number of different examples is also within scope of the aspects of the disclosure.

When introducing elements of aspects of the disclosure or the examples thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. The term “exemplary” is intended to mean “an example of” The phrase “one or more of the following: A, B, and C” means “at least one of A and/or at least one of B and/or at least one of C.”

Having described aspects of the disclosure in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A drinking straw having two openings and a straw body, the drinking straw comprising: a drink label positioned proximate to an opening of the drinking straw, the drink label specifying a particular type of drink.
 2. The drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the drink label comprises text describing the particular type of drink.
 3. The drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the drink label comprises a picture or a logo illustrative of the particular type of drink.
 4. The drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the particular type of drink comprises at least one of a generalized drink category, alcohol category, mocktail, specialty drink, health ingredient, or alcoholic or non-alcoholic designation.
 5. The drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the drink label is within 0-3 inches away from the opening of the straw.
 6. The drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the drink label is within 1-3 inches away from the opening of the straw.
 7. The drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the drink label is etched on the straw body.
 8. The drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the drink label is printed on the straw body.
 9. The drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the drink label is applied via a label on the straw body.
 10. The drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the drink label is lasered on the straw body.
 11. The drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the drink label is inked on the straw body.
 12. The drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the straw body is at least one of a plastic, paper, wooden, metal, glass, silicone, bamboo, aluminum, hard plastic, compostable plastic, or stainless steel straw body.
 13. The drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the straw body is either ASTM D-6400 or STMD 6468 compostable plastic.
 14. The drinking straw of claim 1, further comprising a second drink label positioned proximate to a second opening of the drinking straw.
 15. The drinking straw of claim 1, wherein the straw body comprises a bend, angle, or expander.
 16. A drinking straw having two openings, the drinking straw comprising: a straw base circumferentially colored in a first color; a label area circumferentially colored in a second color that differs from the first color, the label area proximate to an opening; and a drink label positioned in the label area, the drink label specifying a particular type of drink.
 17. The drinking straw of claim 16, the second color of the label area is white, and the drink label comprises text in a black font indicating the particular type of drink.
 18. The drinking straw of claim 17, wherein the first color is a color that is a color of the particular type of drink.
 19. The drinking straw of claim 16, wherein an internal face of the drinking straw is colored in the first color
 20. A method of manufacturing a drinking straw with a drink label, the method comprising: forming a straw body with two openings; and marking the straw body with the drink label proximate to an opening of the straw body, wherein the drink label comprises text designating a particular type of drink, wherein said marking comprising at least one of printing, applying a label, etching, lasering, inking, drawing, or painting the drink label. 